Online Safety, previously referred to as E-Safety, Web Safety or Internet Safety, is a term which is used to highlight the importance of maximising a user’s personal safety and security risks to private information and property associated with using the internet, and the self-protection from computer crime in general.

While the internet and communication technology can be a wonderful tool, often used to support children’s learning both in and outside of schools, there can be times when these things can also have a negative effect on children. It is extremely important for schools, parents and children to be aware of the potential dangers of these tools and to ensure that they are used safely at all times.

Here at St John and St James’, we take Online Safety very seriously and are constantly looking for ways to raise awareness in a bid to keep all of our children safe online. On this page, you will find our top tips for staying safe online as well as a number of links to external websites which promote Online Safety by providing guidance and advice for parents and carers.

Our Top Tips for Staying Safe Online

Is email safe?

Sending and receiving emails between family and friends is usually OK. But don’t open emails, downloads or attachments from people you don’t know or trust as they could contain a computer virus or unwanted messages. The best thing to do is to delete them.

Never give out pictures online or over a mobile unless you know the person in real life. It is easy for people to take your pictures and alter them, send them on, or even pretend to be you with them.

Always use private settings whenever you are setting up a social networking page or an Instant Messenger (IM) account. This is so people who you don’t want to see your profile can’t.

Anything you post or upload to the internet is there forever so be very careful what you put online.

Never go onto webcam with people you don’t know in real life. Webcam images can be recorded and copied and also shared with other people.

If you receive any messages or pictures that worry or upset you talk to an adult you trust. You may also report it online, via the thinkuknow website http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk.

Bookmarking sites or creating a ‘favourites’ list is a simple way to help your children find the content they want without having to search the internet for it.

Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude as this could be seen as Cyber-bullying.

The NSPCC has a great range of safety guides and guidance for keeping safe online. To find out more, please click here.

You can also view the NSPCC’s Parent Guide to Being Share Aware, by clicking here.

Apps

In the ever growing technological world, children are becoming more and more tech savvy. From mobile phones to tablet devices, children have access to a vast array of applications which allow them to access all sorts of weird and wonderful things online. The NSPCC have created a website where you can find out more about the Apps that your children are using. You can view this Net Aware website by clicking here.